Tower of London Skip-the-Line Tickets
Museum TicketCultural ExperienceApprox. 3 hours (flexible)
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Why we love it
The Yeoman Warder tours are genuinely brilliant — theatrical, informative, and free with admission. Most visitors don't realise they run every 30 minutes from the main entrance. Arrive before 10am to see the Crown Jewels without the crush.
Best for
First-time visitorsHistory enthusiastsFamilies with older children
Our tips
- Arrive at opening (9am) for the shortest Crown Jewels queue
- Join a free Yeoman Warder tour — they run every 30 minutes
- Allow at least 3 hours — there is far more here than most people expect
- The gift shop in the White Tower has better stock than the main one
In detail
The Tower of London is one of those rare attractions that genuinely exceeds expectations. Most visitors come for the Crown Jewels, and they are spectacular — the Imperial State Crown alone contains 2,868 diamonds. But the Tower is so much more than a glorified jewellery box.
The White Tower, the original Norman keep built by William the Conqueror in 1066, houses a remarkable collection of royal armour and weaponry. The Chapel of St John the Evangelist on the upper floor is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in England — austere, beautiful, and almost always empty because most visitors walk straight past it.
Then there are the ravens. The Tower keeps at least six at all times (the legend says the kingdom will fall if they ever leave), and they are genuinely impressive birds — larger than you expect, surprisingly characterful, and well looked after by the Ravenmaster. Catch the morning feeding if you can.
But the real highlight is the Yeoman Warder tours. These are serving or retired military personnel who live in the Tower, and their guided tours are theatrical, deeply knowledgeable, and frequently very funny. They run every 30 minutes from the main entrance and are included in your ticket — an astonishing number of visitors don't realise they exist.
What's included
Included
- Skip-the-line entry to the Tower of London
- Access to the Crown Jewels exhibition
- Free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) guided tour
- Access to the White Tower, Bloody Tower, and Tower Green
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Private guided tour (Yeoman Warder tours are shared)
Frequently asked questions
During peak season (June–September) and school holidays, the general admission queue regularly exceeds 45 minutes. The skip-the-line ticket saves meaningful time and costs only a few pounds more than the standard gate price. In winter or on weekday mornings the queue is shorter, but we still recommend it for the convenience.
Children under 5 enter free, and 5–15-year-olds get a discounted ticket. That said, the Tower is best enjoyed by children old enough to engage with the history — roughly age 7 and up. Younger children may find the Yeoman Warder tours long, but the ravens and the armoury in the White Tower usually hold their attention.
Allow at least 3 hours. Most people underestimate the size of the Tower complex. If you want to do a Yeoman Warder tour (highly recommended), join one near the start of your visit — they last about an hour and will orient you for the rest.
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